Fuze



H. w. BIXBY 2,962,967

FUZE

Filed Dec. 21, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HAROLD W. B/XBY Dec. 6, 1960 H. w. BIXBY 2,962,967

FUZE

Filed Dec. 21, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum INVENTOR HARULD W B/XEY United States Patent U W FUZE Harold W. Bixby, Silver Spring, Md., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretar-y of the Navy Filed Dec. 21, 1943, Ser. No. 515,143

Claims. (Cl. 10270.2)

This invention relates to an improved radio proximity fuze.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanical arrangement of the parts of fuzes of this character, wherein the oscillator, amplifier, firing condenser and other components are compactly mounted in the nose of the projectile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a radio proximity fuze assembly wherein the nose portion is of very rugged construction, well able to withstand the stresses present during handling and firing of the projectile in a gun and flight thereof toward a target.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radio proximity fuze assembly having a novel antenna formed of perforated sheet metal molded on the nose in such manner that danger of displacement thereof is reduced to a minimum.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character utilizing a firing condenser constructed and arranged in a novel manner surrounding the oscillator and amplifier portions, thereby contributing greatly to compactness of construction.

A further object is to provide a radio proximity fuze of the character indicated incorporating separately formed nose and can portion interconnected in a novel manner.

Other objects and advantages will be clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings forming a part hereof.

In the drawings, throughout the several views of which, like characters are used to designate equivalent parts:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in substantially diametrical 1ongitudinal section and partly in side elevation of a fuze assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention, diagrammatically indicating the adjacent parts of a projectile in which the fuze is mounted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the exterior of the nose portion of a fuze, showing the antenna and the mounting thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal diametric sectional view of a fuze construction of somewhat modified design.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the shielding cup employed in the modified construction of Fig. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally the cylindrical can section of the twopart fuze assembly, the other major portion of which, designated 8, is a nose section of generally tapering ogival shape. The nose and can sections are threadedly interconnected by means of a ring 7 molded into and forming a part of the hollow body of the plastic nose section. The forward end of the can is threaded at 2, to engage the threads of ring 7.

The antenna 9 is a conic sheet metal cup having a plurality of perforations 10 and molded upon the forward end of the nose section. In the molding operation the 2,952,967 Patented Dec. 6, 1960 antenna and nose are mechanically locked together and rigidly held against displacement by reason of the fact that the plastic enters the perforations. The ring 7 is also locked in place in the same molding operation, ribs 11 being provided about which the plastic is molded, as shown in Fig. 1.

The base wall or web 17 which closes the rear end of the hollow interior of the nose section may also be formed of plastic, and as best indicated in Fig. l, is clamped in position between the inner shoulder 7A of ring 7 and the forward end of the can when the parts are assembled. Web 17 may carry the contact posts 18, adapted to provide electrical connection between the electrical components within the nose section and the battery assembly (not shown) normally housed within the forward portion of the can to provide the current supply.

Axially mounted in the forward portion of the hollow interior of the nose section in a tank coil assembly 15 connected to the antenna as by means of the axial connecting post 15A. Other components of the radio apparatus are also housed within the hollow interior of the nose section, between the tank coil and the rear wall 17, and are concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the assembly.

The firing condenser 16, may be of the wound type formed as a hollow cylindrical element surrounding all of the other electronic components in the rear portion of the nose section, thereby contributing greatly to the compactness of the assembly. The remaining voids in the nose assembly are filled with potting compound 12. The battery assembly is of course formed with suitable contact portions adapted to contact the posts 18, and suitable electrical connections also extend to the rear portion of the interior of the can, wherein are housed the squib block 5 and detonator assembly 4. A self-destruction switch 6, may also be provided. The retaining cup 3, which closes the rear end of the can and houses the booster or auxiliary detonating charge, may be threaded into the conformably tapped rear end of the cylindrical can wall, as shown.

In the somewhat modified construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the electronic assembly is housed in a shielding cup 32, which surrounds the firing condenser 16A. The electron tubes as 36, 37, may also be retained in cushioning cups 29, as best shown in Fig. 4. The interior chamber of the somewhat differently shaped (blunt-nosed, frusto-conical) nose assembly is designated 24.

The nose assembly is secured to the can by a similar ring 23, the web 30 closing the nose section when detached from the can and serving as a separator being formed as a dished plate 30, a separate flanged ring 26 being provided to support the contact posts 18A. The ring 26 may be formed of plastic or other suitable insulating material upon which the contact posts 18A may be directly mounted to project freely through apertures 30A in the plate 30. The ring may also be locked in position by means of a drive pin 31. It will be noted that the sheet metal shielding cup 32 is similarly flanged and retained in position between the can and the interior shoulder 23A of the securing ring 23.

While the preferred embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a fuze construction of the character described, a hollow plastic nose body, an antenna cap secured to the exterior of the forward end of said body by integral portions of said body interlocking with the surface of the cap and mechanically interlocked therewith, and a securing base ring secured to the other end of'the body and also mechanically interlocked therewith, a portion carried by said ring being provided with means for securing the assembly with respect to a projectile.

2. In a fuze construction of the. character, described, a hollow plastic open-endedlnose body, electrical meansv within-said body and-responsiye to a predetermined influence for firing-the fuze, a combined. closure and contact plate for the open endof said body, contact portions carried by said plate and electrically connected-to said electrical means within the body, and accessible from the exterior thereof, and means for securing a container to said body and for simultaneouslyclampingsaid plate to the body. a V

'3. In aradio proximity fuze, a hollow ogive nose of plastic insulating material, radio proximity fuze apparatus housed; withinsaid nose, a conducting. surface mechanically secured'toa portion, of: the,- s urface of said, nose, a: conductor connecting-said surface to, said apparatus, a coupling ring mechanically: interlocked with, the base of said. nose, at can coupledrwith said ring, aninternal shoulder in said ring, a base web interposed betweensaid shoulder; and:the endtof; said can,v and potting compound filling the voids in said nose.

4.' In a radio proximity fuze. assembly, ahollow ogive nose, abase web coupled'to saidnose, said nose and said web defining. achamber, radio, proximity fuze apparatus including a hollow cylindrical capacitor housed in said chamber, at least a portion of the radio proximity fuze apparatus being placed within the cylindrical capacitor,

4. an antenna mounted on the outer surface of said nose and mechanically interlocked therewith, a conductor extending between said antenna and said apparatus, and potting compound filling the voids in said chamber.

5. In a radio proximity fuze assembly, a hollow nose section of a plastic insulating material, said section being of a tapering ogive shape, a coupling ring mechanically secured to and interlockedwith the base of said nose section, a can member threadedly coupled to said coupling ring, an internal shoulder in said coupling ring, a base wall secured between saidshoulder and the end of the can member, said nose and said base defining a chamber for receiving radio proximity fuze apparatus, and an antenna cap mechanically; secured to the outer surface of said nose by integral portions of said nose interlocking with apertures provided in" said antenna cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES; PATIENTS 1,063,095 Wieser May 27, 1913 1,755,023 Ruhlemann Apr; 15, 1930 1,757,288, Bleecker Mayv 6, 1930 2,255,245 Ferrel Sept. 9, 1941 2,345,619 Moore Apr; 4, 1944 2,403,567. Wa1es. July 9, 1946 2,404,553 Wales July 23, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS.

91,592 Sweden Feb. 24,1938 502,4601 Great Britain- Mar, 17, 1939 

